Lake County Fair Seeking New Manager

    The Lake County Fair is seeking a new day-to-day manager. Lake County Fair Association Board President Jimmy Nussbaumer this week confirmed the organization and manager Stacey Wade have parted ways and the search is on for a new leader.
   “She needed a substantial raise,” Nussbaumer said, noting that Wade’s contract was up and negotiations had begun for a new agreement.
   However, the board wasn’t in the position to offer any kind of sizable increase, noting the fair has lost money in each of the last three years dating back to COVID.
   “With the loss financially for the last three years, it just wasn’t there.” Nussbaumer said Wade’s contract runs through June 30, and she is being paid through that time, though she has already vacated her office. He said the two parties mutually agreed to part ways.
   Wade, who had overseen fair operations during the past three years, did not respond to a request for comment this week.
   The fair has kicked off a formal search for a new director, with Nussbaumer saying a committee has been formed with feelers going out to fair organizations both state and nationwide. He said local candidates would also be considered and can contact the fair board via www.lakecofair.com.
   “We’re looking to have someone as soon as possible,” Nussbaumer said, though the board has some flexibility given the fact that a majority of contracts for next year’s fair, including its carnival provider, are already in place.
   “We’ve got some time before our next fair. Our fair doesn’t really get busy until January.”
   Whoever takes over fair operations will be faced with bringing the bottom line back into order, as Nussbaumer said.
   “We’ve got enough money to put on a fair,” he said of the organization’s finances, “but the cost of doing business has gone up and we have to manage those finances.”
   The 2024 Lake County Fair will arrive in early April.